Day 8 End of Trans Am 2022 Final Day - 17,987 ft total climbing

 Our final day was a rainy 79 mile ride from Eugene to Florence. The route out of downtown Eugene had us going in circles until we found a bike trail. After that we had no more routing issues.
The forest route to Florence provided great scenery. The leaves were changing colors. The air was forest scented. Our two passes were not long. We had great roads with a shoulder most of the way. 

We had a bit of a food desert. At 50 miles in Deadwood we had to pull out the jetboil and make ramen noodles with tuna. The little store there provided Tim with ice ream and Eric and me with candy bars. Our last stop before Florence was the Mapleton Library/CityHall/Water District/Lion's Club building. We got wi-fi and bathrooms.

With 13 miles to go we got a break on the rain. I thought we were going to be dry coming into the finish. Instead the sky opened up with pelting rain for the last 3 miles. Our adventure ended on that note at the hotel in Florence where my brother Alan greeted us. Needless to say there are not many photos from today and not even a dip in the ocean. We were wet enough. One more carbo dinner at the oldest pub in Oregon and a stop for ice cream bars marked the end of a Trans Am 2022 adventure. This finale was like a mini-cross country trip as it gave us a very unique mix of scenery, varied weather, (including smoke) hills and mixed terrain. We camped, hoteled, warmshowered and bike hosteled.  All were interesting.  We cooked ramen in the jetboil; ate peanut butter and tortillas and got great meals along the way.  We did it all.

The next big plan for Eric and me is a 5 month round trip west to DC and back across the Northern route in May of 2025 when he retires.  Tim is leaving in January 2024 for a 4 month trip north to south through Africa.

Happy touring to all.

Day 7 End of Trans Am 2022

Another 50 mile day. 

It was a dry start from our stealth camp in the forest at McKenzie Bridge.  The rain started soon after we had consumed a great breakfast at Vida.  Eric wanted to get his picture on the wall for finishing 2 logger pancakes that were bigger than his plate.  We stopped at our second covered bridge for more pictures.  At the Leaburg Dam,  Eric and Tim both walked down under to see the foundation. There is no generator at the Dam.  The water was being diverted into a raised canal. We pedal by it for about 5 miles then the water was let out down through 2 generators to produce power.  

We pedaled through rain along a decent shoulder on 126 to Eugene.  There was a lot of traffic so we were happy to find some bike trails in Eugene.  We made 2 stops at thrift shops looking for bikes we could take parts off of.  No luck there or at a couple of piles of camp remnants that had broken bikes included. The three of us agree that there seems to be  more pot stores in Eugene than Starbucks in Seattle. After reaching our hotel, Eric and Tim went to REI, luckliy nearby, and got a derailleur and parts to repair Eric's bike.  He currently is taking it out for a spin to see if all is well. Tim is finding us a restaurant within walking distance. 

The bike seems to be working and Mexican food at Chula's was great.  The homemade corn tortillas were delicious. We are busy drying out clothes in preparation for our last day.

Day 6 End of Trans Am 2022

Our route today was from Sisters to McKenzie River Bridge -50 miles.
We left my cousin's house at 8:30. The home provided us with clean clothes, showers and a good night's sleep on beds.  We stopped at Ray's Food Store in Sisters for food supplies as the next 90 miles was iffy for food and lodging.  At 9:30 am we started on the most awesome 50 mile ride. Out of Sisters we turned onto highway 242 over McKenzie Pass. This road is closed in the winter. It is not used by trucks or campers.  The forest going up was recovering from a burn 3 years ago. It was an interesting combination of burnt trees and new forest -so unique. 

Our climb was 2125 ft from Sisters to the Pass over 18 miles.  At the top we came into a huge Lava field. This area goes on for miles.  It is actually 3 lava flows next to each other.  It was like we went to the moon.  

At the top we had a bike blowup.  Eric is now riding a one-speed bike as his derailleur bent and died.  He did great for the rest of the ride which was another adventure.  

The road was smooth and curvy and downhill for 29 miles! Tim has not quit smiling. I imagined I was on the Tour.  Eric said he executed a perfect turn.  It was all worth every climbing mile.

We found food at McKenzie at a restaurant. 

Stopped at the covered bridge. Now we are stealth camping in the forest nearby. 

Day 5 The End of Trans Am 2022

Our route today took us from Prineville to Sisters.  After yesterday, today was like a day in heaven on the road.  We said good bye to our host family after coloring with youngest and playing hangman.  Breakfast at Dad's was the perfect energy load.  The sun was out and although it was only 34 degrees and frosty, it felt great. 

We had a view of the Three Sisters mountains and Mt. Jefferson all day.  Mt. Bachelor popped up too.  The fields were in every state of growth.  Green, cut hay, brown wheat, plowed. It was a great sight all the way to Terrebonne where we stopped at Oliver Lemon's to get lunch. This was a great little grocery store.  We took off with our lunch and stopped to eat at the best spot.

See our pictures of the Alpaca farm.  It was right on the route. We had grass and a front row view of the alpacas and the mountains.  I cannot remember a better view.

The rest of the ride in still provided sunshine and scenery all the way.  We are now in Sisters at a house in a development that is just like Sunriver.  So nice.  Thank you cousin Kay.